Srinagar, Sep 29: Fruit growers across Kashmir are facing unprecedented challenges as soaring freight costs and severe transport shortages disrupt the movement of apples and other produce during the peak harvest season.

The prolonged road closure connecting the Valley to major markets has created bottlenecks, leaving mandis overflowing and growers struggling to manage fresh harvests.

“All major fruit mandis in the Valley are packed with produce, but trucks are unavailable to carry consignments outside the region. Even those that reached Delhi and other markets have not returned, causing a severe shortage of transport,” said Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of the Fruit Growers Association, Sopore Mandi.

Freight rates have surged dramatically due to the shortage of vehicles, with truck drive

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